ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Railways
Minister of Railways announces a new train service Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express to commemorate the event
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw lauds the Team Tamil Samagam for successfully organizing the tour for the delegates
Delegates praised the Minister and the Team for the hospitality extended to them
Minister of Railways reviews the redevelopment plan in Varanasi Junction Railway Station
Integrated development of all the railway stations in the region would be done to ease the heavy footfall
Union Minister of Railways,Communications and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced a new train service Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express between Kashi and Tamil Nadu to commemorate the event. He interacted with the delegates from Tamil Nadu who were invited to witness the Kashi Tamil Sangamam. He also inspected the redevelopment plan of Varanasi Junction Railway Station.
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw interacted with the delegates of the eighth batch. The delegates shared their experiences in the tour and how they were well taken care of. He lauded the efforts of the Ministry of Railways & IRCTC team who helped in making this event successful. He said that such people-to-people exchange will bring the traditions, knowledge and culture closer together, while building an understanding of shared heritage and strengthen ties between the people of these two regions.
Shri Vaishnaw announced a new train service Kashi Tamil Sangamam Express between Kashi and Tamil Nadu to commemorate the event. He said the service will commence soon.
The Union Minister of Railways also reviewed the redevelopment plans of Varanasi Junction Railway Station. He suggested planning the redevelopment of the station keeping future traffic increases in mind.
While inspecting the Varanasi Junction Railway Station, the Minister said redevelopment of this station into a world class railway station is in line with the PM's vision of making the railway station to look like an airport terminal. He added that about Rs 7000 crore would be spent in revamping the station to make it one of the best in the world.
Shri Vaishnaw said that the redevelopment would be done planning for 50 years ahead. He said that in order to ease the heavy footfall of passengers in the stations in Varansi city, Integrated development of all the railway stations in the region would be made. He also said that sleeper Vande Bharat manufacturing would commence soon to provide modern amenities to the passengers.
Kashi Tamil Sangamam is a month-long programme organized by the Ministry of Education, as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Delegates from various walks of life are invited to witness this festival in Kashi. The Ministry of Railways and IRCTC ferried the invited delegates to Kashi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya and provided hospitality to them.
UPSC
Final Result of CDS Examination , 2020
The following are the lists, in order of merit, in respect of 147  candidates who have finally qualified on the basis of the results of the Combined Defence Services Examination , 2020 conducted by the Union Public Service Commission and Interviews held by the Services Selection Board of the Ministry of Defence for admission to theOfficers Training Academy, Chennai, for 113th Short Service Commission Course  and  ^Officers Training Academy, Chennai, 27th Short Service Commission Women  Course, commencing in April, 2021. The list of 113th Short Service Commission Course  also includes the names of the candidates who were recommended earlier on the basis of the result of the same examination for admission to Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala and Air Force Academy, Hyderabad  Training Course.
2. The number of vacancies as intimated by the Government, for  113th Short Service Commission Course  is 225 and for  27th Short Service Commission Women  Course is 16.
3. The results of Medical Examination of candidates have not been taken into account in preparing the merit list. The candidature of all the candidates is Provisional. Verification of Date of Birth and Educational Qualification of these Candidates will be done by Army Head Quarter.
4. Candidates can also obtain information regarding results by accessing to UPSC website http://www.upsc.gov.in. However, marks of the candidates will be available within 15 days from the date of declaration of final results on Commission’s website for 30 days.
5. Attention of the candidates is also invited to scheme of PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF SCORES AND OTHER DETAILS OF NON-RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES as available in the Commission’s website. Such non-recommended candidates may exercise their options while downloading their marks.
6. Union Public Service Commission has a Facilitation Counter near Examination Hall Building in its Campus. Candidates may obtain any information/clarification regarding their examination on working days between 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM, in person or over telephone No. 011-23385271, 011-23381125 and 011-23098543.
Click here for results:
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SNC
(Visitor Counter : 284
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Statement of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on the announcement by US to discontinue the Significant Reduction Exemption to all purchases of crude oil from Iran
“The Government of India has put in place a robust plan to ensure that there is adequate supply of crude oil to Indian oil refineries from May 2019 onwards. There will be additional supplies from other major oil producing countries from different parts of the world. The Indian refineries are fully prepared without any problem to meet the national demand for petrol, diesel and other petroleum products in the country.”
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Indian exports to China witness growth
Government makes sustained efforts to achieve a more balanced trade with China
Strict measures in the form of trade remedies taken to curb unfair trade practices
The exports from India to China have increased from USD 13.33 billion in 2016-17 to USD 21.19 billion in 2020-21, exhibiting growth. The trade with China was USD 87.07 billion in 2018-19, which registered a decline in 2019-20 to USD 81.87 billion, and was USD 86.40 billion in 2020-21.
The merchandise trade data of India’s exports to and imports from China, total trade and trade deficit, for the period FY 2017-18 to FY 2021-22, is as under:

|
|
YEAR
|
|
2017-18
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-21
|
|
Import
|
|
76.38
|
|
70.32
|
|
65.26
|
|
65.21
|
|
Export
|
|
13.33
|
|
16.75
|
|
16.61
|
|
21.19
|
|
Total trade
|
|
89.71
|
|
87.07
|
|
81.87
|
|
86.40
|
|
Trade deficit
|
|
63.05
|
|
53.57
|
|
48.65
|
|
44.02

The Government of India has made sustained efforts to achieve a more balanced trade with China, including bilateral engagements to address the non-tariff barriers on Indian exports to China. The Government has also taken measures in form of trade remedies  against unfair trade practices and formulated technical regulations and also issued quality control orders to check substandard imports. Efforts have also been made to source critical supplies from alternate sources and sensitize the concerned ministries/departments to ramp up domestic capacities.
The Government has also launched schemes such as Production Linked Incentive Schemes  to promote domestic manufacturing capacities in critical sectors such as Key Starting Materials/Drug Intermediates, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, domestic manufacturing of Medical devices, and for Pharmaceuticals apart from electronic components & mobiles, white goods , Specialty Steel, Food Processing industry, High efficiency Solar PV modules, Drones and Drone Components etc. These schemes will promote domestic manufacturing capacities and attract investment and reduce dependency on imports from China.
Government of India follows a multi-pronged strategy to promote trade in services, which involves negotiating meaningful market access through multilateral, regional and bilateral trade agreements, trade promotion through participation in and organization of international fairs/exhibitions and addressing domestic sectoral challenges and difficulties which are identified through periodic consultations with the stakeholders. Moreover, efforts are made to engage with the nodal Ministries/Departments to pursue a domestic reform agenda to make the services sector competitive globally.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Smt. Anupriya Patel, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU between India and South Africa on cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been apprised of the Memorandum of Understanding  between India and South Africa on cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes. The MoU was signed in Johannesburg on 26th July 2018.
Salient Features:
The areas of cooperation under this MoU are the following:
- Remote sensing of the earth;
- Satellite communication and satellite-based navigation;
- Space science and planetary exploration;
- Use of spacecraft, launch vehicles, space systems and ground systems;
- Practical applications of space technology including geospatial tools and techniques; and
- Other areas of cooperation to be determined by the Parties.
The Cooperation under this MoU shall be carried out in the following forms:
- Planning and implementation of joint space projects of mutual benefit and interest;
- Establishment, operation and maintenance of ground stations for supporting space activities;
- Sharing of satellite data, results of experiments, and scientific and technological information;
- Joint research and developmental activities;
- Exchange of technical and scientific personnel designated to participate in the cooperative programmes;
- Capacity building in space science and technology, and space application programmes for societal purposes;
- Organization of joint symposia, conferences and scientific meetings; and
- Additional forms of cooperation will be determined in writing upon mutual consent between the Parties.
Benefits:
Signing of this MoU shall enable pursuing the potential areas of cooperation such as space science, technology and applications including remote sensing of the earth, satellite communication and satellite-based navigation; space science and planetary exploration; use of spacecraft and space systems and ground systems; and application of space technology.
Ministry of Communications
DAK ADALAT TO SOLVE PROBLEMS RELATING TO POSTAL SERVICES
Department of Posts proposes to hold Dak Adalat for settlement of grievances relating to postal services. Dak adalat for 1st quarter ending on 31.03.2023 will be held at 11:00 hours onwards on 26.05.2023  in the O/o the Postmaster General, North Gujarat Region, Speed Post Bhavan, Shahibaug, Ahmedabad-380004.
The Postmaster General will hear each complainant individually and settle the problem of public on the spot. The idea of the above stated Adalat is to give a personal hearing and settlement of problems of the Public on the spot.
The complaints of Postal services related to North Gujarat Region, Ahmedabad should be sent to Shri M.M. Shaikh, Asstt. Director Postal Services , Complaint section, O/o the Postmaster General, North Gujarat Region, Speed Post Bhavan, Shahibaug, Ahmedabad-380004, so as to reach latest by 19.05.2023 . The complaints received after the due date will not be entertained.
The complaints should be concrete and in brief. The complaints of a general nature and of policy matters will not be entertained. Moreover, the complaints should not contain more than one point or subject in one application.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 389
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage reaches nearly 171 Crore
More than 48 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has reached nearly 171 Crore  today. More than 48 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. More than 1.56 Crore  Precaution Doses for the identified categories of beneficiaries  for COVID vaccination have been administered so far. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10398135
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10004787
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
3721430
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18402874
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17594785
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
4956311
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
50421655
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9121913
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
545994829
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
419557473
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
201214975
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
174787818
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
125556950
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
109402215
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
7020224
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
951989418
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
740468991
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
15697965
|
|
Total
|
|
1708156374
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 8th February, 2022 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
201
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
3934
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
35495
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
436
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
7394
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
95174
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
404940
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1466070
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
443196
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1498727
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
78510
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
308747
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
62887
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
186234
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
271603
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
990170
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
3471106
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
402272
|
|
Total
|
|
4863548
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
DoPT Memorandum
As per fresh Office Memorandum  issued by the Ministry of Personnel, all the Ministries and departments have been instructed that while drawing up roster of staff who are required to attend essential services within their respective Ministries or departments, they may keep in mind that employees who are “Persons with Disability"  or "Divyangjans" are exempted.
Pertinent to mention that as per an earlier Office Memorandum issued by DoPT immediately following the imposition of 21 day lockdown, the Heads of Departments  were asked to draw a list of staff that are “absolutely necessary” to carry out additional essential services within the department.
Meanwhile, through another memorandum issued by DoPT, timeline for submission of Annual Performance Appraisal Report  in respect of Group-A officers of Central Services has been extended for the year 2019-20, in the light of the situation arising out of the spread of Covid-19. As per the earlier schedule, the date for distribution of blank APARs to all concerned officers was 31st March, which has now been revised and extended upto 31st May.
Similarly, the date for the submission of self-appraisal by an officer to the Reporting Officer was 15th April as per the earlier schedule, but it has now been revised and extended upto 30th June.
Meanwhile, most of the officials have been asked to continue to work from home and remain available on telephone and electronic means of communication. They may be asked to make themselves available if and when required.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Humpy, Vaishali help India beat Georgia in women’s section at 44th Chess Olympiad
Gukesh continues his impressive show, registers sixth successive win
Koneru Humpy pulled off a thumping victory over one of the top players in the women’s circuit, Nana Dzagnidze as India A defeated third-seeded Georgia 3-1 in the sixth-round match of the women’s section at the 44th Chess Olympiad in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.
India Women Team A's GM Koneru Humpy along with Captain GM Abhijit Kunte after her win in Round 6 of the 44th Chess Olympiad 
Apart from Humpy, R Vaishali also thrashed a higher-rated player in Lela Javakhisvili while Tania Sachdev and Harika Dronavalli secured draws to help India win the match.
Member of India's Women Team A IM Vaishali R in action during Round 6 of the 44th Chess Olympiad 
Players in action during Round 6 of the 44th Chess Olympiad 
“I am not thinking of medals at this stage of the tournament as we still have to play many more tough teams like Ukraine and so on. Our team spirit is high and whenever in need of victory, always any one player from the team would shine,” Humpy said.
“I am playing after two-and-a-half years and really struggled in the first few. Today too my game was long as usual,” she added.
Romania, the other overnight joint leader with India and Georgia, was held to a 2-2 draw by Ukraine whereas Azerbaijan defeated Kazakhstan with a 3-1 score while Poland whitewashed Serbia 4-0.
Member of India's Open Team B GM Gukesh D in action during Round 6 of the 44th Chess Olympiad in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. 
Meanwhile, D Gukesh once again produced a sensational performance as he carved his blistering sixth successive victory but his efforts went in vain as India B lost to Armenia by 1.5-2.5 in the open section.
Nihal Sarin drew on the second board while Adhiban B and Raunak Sadhwani conceded losses.
India C, on the other hand, registered a 3.5-1.5 win over Lithuania while second-seeded India A was held to a 2-2 draw by Uzbekistan.
Cabinet
Union Cabinet clears new initiative to control Foot and Mouth Disease  and Brucellosis to support the livestock rearing farmers
Farmers associated with the animal husbandry sector to gain from this move
During the Union Cabinet Meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, the first since the outcome of the 2019 Lok Sabha election, a novel initiative was cleared that will benefit crores of farmers and improve the health of animals.
This initiative pertains to controlling Foot and Mouth Disease  and Brucellosis to support the livestock rearing farmers. The Cabinet had cleared a total outlay of Rs. 13,343 crores to fully control these diseases amongst the livestock in the country in the next five years and subsequently eradicate these diseases.
This decision indicates the spirit of compassion towards those animals who are a valued part of our planet but are not able to speak.
The threat of Foot and Mouth Disease  and Brucellosis:
These diseases are very common amongst the livestock – cow-bulls, buffaloes, sheep, goats, pigs etc.
If a cow/buffalo gets infected with FMD, the milk loss is upto 100% which could last for four to six months. Further, in case of Brucellosis the milk output reduces by 30%, during the entire life cycle of animal. Brucellosis also causes infertility amongst the animals. The infection of brucellosis can also be transmitted to the farm workers and livestock owners. Both the diseases have a direct negative impact on the trade of milk and other livestock products.
The decision of the Cabinet today fulfils the major promise made in the manifesto as it provides much relief to crores of farmers in the country who rear livestock.
Care and compassion for animals:
In case of FMD, the scheme envisages vaccination coverage to 30 crore bovines  and 20 crore sheep/goat and 1 crore pigs at six months’ interval along with primary vaccination in bovine calves, while the Brucellosis control programme shall extend to cover 100% vaccination coverage of 3.6 crore female calves.
The programme so far has been implemented on cost sharing basis between the Central and State Governments. In a rare instance of departure, the Central Government has decided to now bear the entire cost of the programme to ensure complete eradication of these diseases and better livelihood opportunities for all the livestock rearing farmers in the country.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Cabinet approves signing of Memorandum of Understanding amongst BRICS Nations on the Regional Aviation Partnership
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has today approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding  amongst BRICS Nations on the Regional Aviation Partnership Cooperation viz. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Salient features:
The objective is that BRICS countries would benefit from the establishing of an institutional framework to cooperate in the field of civil aviation. Among the areas of cooperation, following areas have been identified:
- Public Policies and best practices in regional services;
- Regional Airports;
- Airport infrastructure management and air navigation services;
- Technical cooperation between regulatory agencies;
- Innovation;
- Environment Sustainability; including deliberation of global initiatives;
- Qualification and Training;
- Other fields as mutually determined
Impact:
The MoU signifies an important landmark in the civil aviation relations between India and other BRICS Member States and has the potential to spur greater trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchanges amongst the BRICS Nations.
Ministry of Electronics & IT
Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad to inaugurate ‘Centre of Excellence in Blockchain Technology’ in Bengaluru tomorrow
National Informatics Centre  has set up the Centre of Excellence  in Blockchain Technology in Bengaluru, Karnataka, aiming to provide Blockchain as a service and allowing all stakeholders to benefit from shared learning, experiences and resources. Inauguration of Centre of Excellence in Blockchain Technology is being held tomorrow by the Union Minister for Law & Justice, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad. The event will be attended by several dignitaries from the Central and State Government.
National Informatics Centre  as a premier technology advisor and ICT solution provider to Government at all levels, has always taken the first step to introduce the latest technologies and services in government, be it the introduction of ICT in Government, establishment of NICNET or National Knowledge Network , development of critical e-Governance solutions and a host of other services required by the Government.
Blockchain technology is upcoming & niche technology and adoption of the same in sectors such as health, finance, agriculture and various other sectors would aid the government in implementing various programmes and provide trust and immutability to the assets.
The CoE has developed Blockchain based Proof of Concepts  for select government use cases to understand potential benefits provided by this emerging technology. New and previously unforeseen applications of Blockchain in the Government are expected to enhance transparency, traceability and trust in e-governance systems.
The Centre of Excellence will facilitate the Government Departments in building proof of concepts for use of Blockchain technology in different dimensions of governance leading to large scale deployment of some such applications. With National Informatics Centre  providing a robust and an agile infrastructure, the CoE shall also provide Blockchain as a Service  for efficient hosting of Blockchain network.